At first glance, Clemson's 41-10 demolition of Boston College looks like just another dominant performance. The Tigers put up 504 yards of total offense, and quarterback Cade Klubnik accounted for two touchdowns in the lopsided affair. But a deeper dive into the numbers and the tape shows a performance that was more of a rollercoaster than a runaway train.
While Klubnik flashed the high-end talent that made him a top recruit, moments of inconsistency leave questions lingering. Was this a sign of him turning a corner, or did the blowout mask correctable flaws? We're breaking out the red pen to grade Klubnik's performance against the Eagles.
Accuracy & Decision-Making: B
Klubnik's final passing line was impressive: 22-of-30 for 280 yards and a beautiful 38-yard touchdown strike to Bryant Wesco Jr. A 73% completion rate is efficient, and he showed great touch on several key throws. He was particularly effective on the drive just before halftime, going 2-for-3 and capping it with the TD to Wesco Jr. to break the game open. He also delivered a clutch 15-yard pass to Antonio Williams on a 4th-and-3 in the third quarter.
However, the grade gets knocked down by a costly interception in the third quarter. On a 2nd-and-4 in the red zone, Klubnik forced a pass that was picked off, killing a promising drive. It was a reminder that while the arm talent is there, the decision-making can still be a work in progress.
Poise & Pocket Presence: B-
The box score shows Klubnik was only sacked once for a loss of three yards, a credit to both his offensive line and his own awareness. He often felt pressure well and knew when to get rid of the football. On his 6-yard touchdown run, he calmly navigated a collapsing pocket, saw a lane, and took it himself.
Still, there were moments where pressure seemed to affect his mechanics. Several of his eight incompletions came when the pocket got muddy, forcing him to rush throws. Against a better defensive front, this could become a more significant issue.
Playmaking & Mobility: A-
This is where Klubnik truly shined. He was a legitimate threat with his legs, turning potential negative plays into positive ones. He finished with 48 net rushing yards on 9 carries (if you remove the sack) and a crucial touchdown. His 12-yard scamper on the opening drive was a sign of things to come, and his ability to convert a 4th-and-1 with his legs in the third quarter kept a drive alive. This dual-threat capability puts immense stress on a defense and was a key factor in Clemson's offensive explosion.
The Verdict: Overall Grade B+
This was, without a doubt, a winning performance from Cade Klubnik. He was productive, efficient, and made several high-level plays that led directly to points. He led an offense that was balanced (226 rushing yards, 278 passing yards) and explosive.
However, the performance wasn't flawless. The red-zone interception against a struggling Boston College team is the kind of mistake that could be fatal against a top-10 opponent. While Klubnik's stat line looks great, the goal for Clemson is championships, and that requires elite, mistake-free quarterback play. This was a very good performance, but it stopped just short of being great. It was another promising, yet tantalizing, step in his development.